### Spokane Leaders Tackle Opioid Crisis with $1.5 Million Investment
In a significant move to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic, leaders in Spokane have proposed a $1.5 million investment using settlement funds. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the critical need for comprehensive treatment and support services in the region.
### Expanding Sobering Beds at STARS
A key component of the plan involves a $500,000 investment to increase the number of sobering beds at Spokane Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS). STARS, which serves males and females aged 18 and older struggling with substance use disorders, currently operates a withdrawal management program with limited capacity. The facility, located in central Spokane, provides essential services including medication administration, emotional support, and substance-use disorder assessments during inpatient stays of three to five days[2][5].
This expansion is crucial given the acute shortage of detox beds in the Spokane area. The recent loss of certification for withdrawal management services at American Behavioral Health Services (ABHS) has further exacerbated the shortage, leaving only a handful of facilities like STARS and Sequoia Detox Centers to meet the demand[2].
### Role of the Spokane County Opioid Abatement Council
The investment is facilitated through the Spokane County Opioid Abatement Council (OAC), which oversees the distribution and use of opioid settlement funds within the Spokane Regional Service Area. The OAC, comprising professionals from various jurisdictions including Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens Counties, as well as cities like Cheney, Liberty Lake, Spokane, and Spokane Valley, is responsible for monitoring programs funded by these settlement funds and ensuring they align with approved purposes[1].
### State and Local Efforts
The state of Washington is also intensifying its efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Governor Jay Inslee's proposed 2024 supplemental budget includes over $64 million to address substance use disorders, with a focus on expanding Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) in tribal and rural areas. This includes increasing access to methadone and other FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), as well as establishing the Opioid Recovery and Care Access (ORCA) Center in Seattle to provide post-overdose care and recovery services[3].
### Community Impact
The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities, with fentanyl driving over 90% of opioid-related fatalities in Washington state. On average, two people
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